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Future-proofed course design If you thought the ‘distance debate’ about how far a golf ball travels was limited to the professional game, think again.  The longer lengths of drives from players of all abilities is increasingly problematic for courses, posing a danger to areas that were once out of reach. The solution? Data, says Jeremy Slessor, Managing Director at European Golf Design. “The distance players, both amateurs and professionals, are hitting the golf ball is evolving, and so real estate situated around golf courses that once were safely out of bounds are now becoming at risk,” said Jeremy. “Over the last five years or so, an increasing percentage of the work we do is focused on course renovations. “This is where the power of data comes in. “By analysing ball dispersion data for example, we can pinpoint precise danger zones, problem areas and properties that are at risk of an errant golf shot. Using the data, we can demonstrate to stakeholders how best to renovate their course(s) accordingly.” As well as solving safety issues, data is also being used to ensure spectators are treated to competitive drama at elite events. Commenting on the mind-boggling set of numbers the team at EGD drew on for the 2023 Ryder Cup course at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, he explained: “At Marco Simone, we had access to shot-by-shot data from three Italian Opens played on the course prior to the Ryder Cup, which we could use to inform course set-up day-to-day depending on weather conditions to maximise excitement and drama – which is ultimately what the fans want to see.”   Efficient and sustainable maintenance Once a golf course has been designed and built – or re-designed and renovated – recent advancements in maintenance technology have transformed how a greenkeeping team looks after it. Paul O’Donoghue, Superintendent at The Dutch, says these innovations have been crucial amid climate change and longer spells without rain. “We gather data annually to track how much water we are using and collecting, and work out how we can be more efficient with our irrigation,” he said. “Having that data has helped us make changes such as upgrading sprinkler nozzles, optimising grass lines and expanding non-irrigated areas. “Having the technology at our fingertips has not only allowed us to optimise our resources while still maintaining excellent conditions, it has meant we can send a very positive message to our community. “In drier periods, people ask why we’re using water for the course when they are not allowed to wash their cars or water their gardens.  “Being able to show that we are upholding our responsibility to the environment by reducing or eliminating water use during dry spells is important. “And it’s not just our own members and guests we are telling. Whenever we host a professional tournament here, we give out free tickets to the local community so we can show them first-hand the initiatives in place and the consideration we have for the environment.  “All this

“Within 15 minutes, the lake that the course is built around rose by 3.6 metres,” said Christian Guzy Jr, owner-representative at Diamond Country Club, near Vienna, Austria. Days of heavy rain had led to catastrophic flooding across a large swathe of central Europe in September 2024, and when the nearby River Perschling burst through a dam, the club was powerless to stop a torrent of water headed its way. Much of Diamond’s 18-hole championship course and the Boathouse, the club’s popular lakeside restaurant, was submerged, leaving Christian and his family wondering how they would ever recover. “I was sat with my mum and girlfriend on a table in the Boathouse watching the water rush in,” recalled Christian. “I didn’t want to leave, but the fire brigade gave us no choice as it wasn’t safe. At that point we had no idea how high the water would get. “Thankfully in the clubhouse the water came no higher than the cellar, and at the hotel it ended up just 5cm from the front door. It was 70cm deep in the Boathouse though, and on the course we had some low points that were seven metres under water.” Damage Assessment When Christian returned four days after the initial flooding – and even more rain – he was cautiously optimistic. “Although it was a shock to see, we knew the water had to go away eventually,” he explained. “We spoke to other clubs who had experienced flooding on parts of their courses to get some advice. “They stressed the importance of sweeping away the mud, as the water had flooded over many fields before it reached Diamond Country Club, so it was very brown and dirty. However, as there was still so much ground water, it would be some time before we could even start doing that.” Team spirit The following weekend, around 100 volunteers turned up wanting to help – indicative of the close-knit community on which the club is based. “The response of our members was unbelievable,” said Christian. “It made us very proud and was a highlight in an otherwise very difficult situation. “One couple who came along to help had never been members but their child was in our youth programme about 10 years ago. They were so taken by the spirit that they both signed up for full membership despite not knowing when the course could be played on again. It was an incredible moment. “However, in spite of a great team of volunteers, there was so little we could do until the water was gone – which came in the form of a huge pump we borrowed from a local company that took a lot of the water away and lowered the lake level.” Planning the comeback The Austrian government had pledged to provide compensation for the broken dam and the insurers were engaged to start discussing the club’s recovery. So, the team at Diamond Country Club began to plan its comeback. “Thanks to our members and their

The biennial Ryder Cup, founded in 1927, is one of the landmark events in global sport. The 2023 match, organised by Ryder Cup Europe, attracted ticket applications from 140 different countries, and a record-breaking 272,000 spectators descended on Rome. Powered by a rich amphitheatre of technology to match the modern-day spectator’s expectations of an inspirational yet ubiquitous, frictionless and reliable technology experience, the 2023 edition delivered the most digitally connected Ryder Cup to date.  Proving to be one of the most intelligent sporting experiences ever, against Rome’s rich historical backdrop, the 2023 Ryder Cup brought innovation to the heart of the eternal city, unequivocally setting the bar for the US Ryder Cup in 2025.   Unlike other sports where the action takes place in a single stadium, pitch or track, golf has the added challenge of connecting 18 fields of play, spread across many acres, to the swarms of spectators eager to keep up with all the action as it unfolds across a vast competitive landscape.  In order to achieve this in the Italian capital, Ryder Cup Europe built a mini smart city from scratch in the middle of the countryside to bridge the gap between armchair fans and on-course spectators.  Technology Strategy In my mind, the genesis of technology for any Ryder Cup is based on three Es – Engagement, Excitement and Experience. ENGAGEMENT  through relevant and personalised services to every attending spectator, generating EXCITEMENT through the delivery of course features that get fans closer to the action, while ensuring their EXPERIENCE of the Ryder Cup is one of the best sporting events they have ever attended.  This is obviously quite an ask, yet I believe we achieved it in Rome. In 2025 and 2027 we will aim to do the same through five core pillars and with the help of our principle technology partners, Capgemini, SAP, Hewlett Packard Enterprises, Motorola Solutions and T-Mobile (2025 only), each bringing deep strong capabilities and extensive expertise to help shape best-in-class technology solutions.  Pillar #1: Re-imagining the spectator experience  Great connectivity, enhanced navigation and interactive communications optimise the tournament experience, enabling fans to spend more time watching golf, soaking up the atmosphere and immersing themselves in the unique experience. Our new technology features are likely to include:  Some of the largest LED screens in the industry, screens visible from every point on the course, and more than 500 digital TVs   Launching AI-enhanced Outcome IQ providing probability stats on likely hole, session and match winners, as well as AI-generated shot commentary on every shot, and match statistics Shot-by-shot tracker on the new Ryder Cup website and mobile app, with interactive 3D visuals and other engaging features Pillar #2: The intelligent course The technology solutions deployed will ensure the 2025 Ryder Cup will be the most data-driven ever, by implementing a visualised intelligence platform, with multiple data sources, which will enable staff and fans to make smarter real-time decisions.  Examples include a new Customer Data Platform which will unify fan data from multiple sources to

Cloudless skies, idyllic Mediterranean temperatures and the historic bay of Navarino provided the perfect setting for more record-breaking action as the Legends Tour made a successful return to Costa Navarino. Former Major winners Paul Lawrie and Michael Campbell headlined an international line-up for the 54-hole tournament in Greece. Last year’s inaugural event featured a number of low-scoring performances and two course records and this year’s tournament followed a similar path, with 1999 Open champion Lawrie carding a superb record ten-under 62 on The Hills Course in the second round to take a one-stroke lead into the last day ahead of Peter Baker. Lawrie started well on the International Olympic Academy Golf  Course with a birdie on the first hole, but Baker took over the lead on the fourth hole, cruising to an eventual six-shot victory from Germany’s Thomas Gögele and James Kingston from South Africa. Baker said: “I’m absolutely delighted. It was a tough day and we had to adapt and I managed to do that early on. I played nicely and putted nicely. It was just one of those days when you try not to make any mistakes, and I didn’t drop a shot all week, which is a massive thing, really. “I want to contend for the Order of Merit again. I want to try and play well throughout the year and win tournaments. “It was fantastic to be back in Greece at Costa Navarino. I visited for the first time last year and everything is just as good as I remember. The courses are in great condition, the hotels and hospitality are first class, and the people are so friendly. It’s a great place to play golf.” This year’s tournament was played over two of the four courses at Costa Navarino, with the first and third rounds taking place on the International Olympic Academy Golf Course and the second on The Hills Course, with both layouts designed by José María Olazábal. Players and guests chose for their stay one of the destination’s five-star resorts: The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort, W Costa Navarino, Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino, enjoying genuine hospitality and a rich offering of authentic local experiences. Joakim Haeggman, one of seven former Ryder Cup players who were in the line-up of 60 players from 16 different countries, commented on the destination following another memorable week. The Swede said: “The weather was superb, and the golf courses were once again in immaculate condition. A lot of players bring their families here and they do so for one good reason; this is probably the best place that we come to through all the summer.” Defending champion Clark Dennis added: “I’d never been to Greece before last year. We spent a couple days in Athens, which was great, with the history and so much to see. Then we came to Costa Navarino and it’s incredible here. Great hotels and four absolutely sensational golf courses. The restaurants are great and there’s a real

 La Hacienda Links Golf Resort provided a stellar stage for the Gasol Foundation Golf Invitational as star golfers and passionate amateurs including tennis legend Rafael Nadal united against the threats posed by childhood obesity. Taking place from June 19-22, the tournament saw players tee off on both of the resort’s championship courses – the Links and the Heathland – and bask in the luxury of the five-star Fairmont La Hacienda Costa del Sol Hotel, which opened earlier in 2025. Among the stars lining up alongside Gasol – a six-time NBA All-Star and one of the greatest European basketball players of all time – were tennis great Nadal, winner of 22 Grand Slam titles, and of top Spanish golfers Ángel Hidalgo, Ángel Ayora, Andrea Revuelta and Paula Martín. Spanish footballers past and present including Alvaro Morata, Marcos Alonso and Artiz Aduriz were among the other star names to support the hugely successful event, which began with a ceremonial shot hit from a historic bunker dating back to World War Two and concluded with a glittering gala dinner and prize auction which raised €116,000 for charity. A keen golfer, Gasol and his team of Revuelta, Adri Arnaus and Rudy Fernández were in contention to take the top prize throughout before eventually having to settle for second place behind the winning quartet of Hidalgo, César Penalva, Pablo Masilla and Juan Delgado. Providing the setting for the action was La Hacienda Links Golf Resort, one of the rising stars of European golf which has gone from strength to strength in recent years thanks to a significant period of investment. The venue’s flagship Links course, which offers unique views of the Mediterranean, Gibraltar and Africa was elevated by architect Kurtis Bowman in a major redesign three years ago; the neighbouring Heathland layout has benefitted from a renovation of its own in recent years to create one of Europe’s greatest 36-hole golf venues. In 2024, one of the resort’s most eye-catching additions – an opulent new halfway house – was named the industry’s best at the annual World Golf Awards. Gasol said: “With this team, we’ve set the bar very high for our first edition. I’m very excited that this event will become a benchmark for continuing to grow in promoting healthy habits and giving that opportunity to children who don’t currently have it.” Nadal, a keen golfer, added: “Those of us who have been fortunate enough to have a privileged life are obligated not only to contribute to our foundations, but also to motivate and inspire others to do their part and make this world a better place. “My passion for golf began because it was the only sport I could play without risking injury, but it’s a sport that has something unique about it. Today we played with two incredible players, Paula and Andrea. They can’t be compared to us, but we can have a good time despite the difference in skill level; that doesn’t happen in any other sport.” Javier Jimenez Casquet, director

Opened in 2008, this 27-hole championship golf complex was created by Robert Trent Jones II. Situated on 450 acres of rolling countryside in the Djursland region of Denmark, the course consists of three 9-hole loops – Sand, Sky and Forest. Each course offers a different experience, with challenges ranging from water hazards to bunkers to undulating greens. When it first opened it earned the title of ‘best new golf course in the world’ from Golf Magazine, and has since remained one of the best in Europe, with Top100golfcourses.com ranking it as the 42nd best in Continental Europe. Carl Aage Nielsen, owner of Lübker Golf Resort, said: “Following the hosting of the DP World Tour’s Danish Golf Championship in 2024, we are looking forward to strengthening our links with the European Tour Group and building a golf legacy at the resort.” “2024 was a very exciting year for us as in addition to hosting a DP World tournament, we were also very pleased to receive a World Golf Award for being Denmark’s Best Golf Course. Whilst the 2024 tournament was the first major competition at Lübker, the venue has hosted several other tournaments and events, including the Nordic Golf League and the European Challenge Tour.” “The resort, on-site accommodation and private real estate ensure there is a vibrant community feel within the resort. Ask any golfer to name a golf course in Denmark and Lübker will be the first thing they say. We work hard at ensuring our guests have an enjoyable experience and leave wanting to return.” Ian Knox, Head of European Tour Destinations, added: “We look forward to working closely with Carl Aage and his team to capitalise on the benefits of Lübker Golf Resort hosting the DP World Tour Danish Golf Championship 2024 and continuing to elevate the venue as one of Europe’s top destinations.” Hear from Hans Knudsen, the resort’s General Manager, who explains the decision…